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Mum-of-three’s home became a drugs den

A MUM-OF-THREE who converted her family’s home in to a drugs den has narrowly avoided jail.

Laurie Pearce, from Somercotes in Laindon, told a Basildon Crown Court judge that she grew 103 cannabis plants for personal use after a small batch of seeds got out of hand.

However, Judge Ian Graham dismissed her excuses, and sentenced her to 18 months in prison, suspended for 18 months, and 150 hours community service.

He said: “It is extraordinarily stupid for someone who says they care so much about their children to get involved in growing drugs.”

Charlotte Davison, prosecuting, told the court officers from Basildon’s proactive team raided Pearce’s home in Somercotes on February 2 at about 10.30am.

They found an upstairs bedroom had been converted into a sophisticated growing room. It contained 63 mature cannabis plants, about three feet tall.

Downstairs, officers discovered a makeshift extension had been tagged on to the kitchen. It contained another 40 plants along with heat lamps, fans and other growing equipment.

Further investigation found Pearce, who has children aged ten, 12 and 14, had been by-passing the house’s electricity meter, stealing £2,249 from the grid.

Mark Savage, mitigating, said Pearce, 35, worked part-time as a cleaner and did not have money for drugs, so decided to grow her own. The court heard she had started drinking and using drugs as a teenager after her mother attempted suicide when she was aged eight.

He said: “She gained her knowledge of growing drugs from the internet and it got out of hand. Her two mobile phones were seized and there was no evidence she was dealing drugs.

“There was no communication with parties dealing drugs, such as the Bush Boys who operate in Laindon. Similarly, there were no large quantities of cash in the house or dealer lists.”

Pearce admitted producing cannabis, abstracting £2,249 electricity and possession of 31.2g of cannabis and cannabis resin and 7.9g of amphetamine at an earlier hearing.

Judge Graham said: “You have three kids who depend on you, yet you decided to embark on a cannabis operation.

“You should have thought much more about them before starting this cannabis factory.

“You placed yourself at great risk of going to prison, which would have separated you from them.”

Comments

And if 103 plants are for personal use then you have one hell of a habit!

"The court heard she had started drinking and using drugs as a teenager after her mother attempted suicide when she was aged eight".

i find this part odd, so this crime stems for when she was 8, but she waited 5 years before she started on the booze and drugs because of an episode 5 years earlier.
personally i don't believe a word, but then i am not a judge, sounds like a top Mum anyway, bet those kids must of been in school stinking of the stuff, nice.

[quote][p][bold]poortaxpayer[/bold] wrote:
Very very very lucky she wasn't caught dealing.
And if 103 plants are for personal use then you have one hell of a habit![/p][/quote]"The court heard she had started drinking and using drugs as a teenager after her mother attempted suicide when she was aged eight".
i find this part odd, so this crime stems for when she was 8, but she waited 5 years before she started on the booze and drugs because of an episode 5 years earlier.
personally i don't believe a word, but then i am not a judge, sounds like a top Mum anyway, bet those kids must of been in school stinking of the stuff, nice.Robin Reliant

poortaxpayer wrote…

Very very very lucky she wasn't caught dealing.

And if 103 plants are for personal use then you have one hell of a habit!

"The court heard she had started drinking and using drugs as a teenager after her mother attempted suicide when she was aged eight".

i find this part odd, so this crime stems for when she was 8, but she waited 5 years before she started on the booze and drugs because of an episode 5 years earlier.
personally i don't believe a word, but then i am not a judge, sounds like a top Mum anyway, bet those kids must of been in school stinking of the stuff, nice.

Score: 13

SLord90
8:23am Wed 25 Jun 14

Wow... No words...

Wow... No words...SLord90

Wow... No words...

Score: 1

Happy Chickie
9:43am Wed 25 Jun 14

Howard Cháse wrote…

Happy Chickie wrote…

What does one actually need to do before they are jailed?

The courts in this country are a joke. Judges should be elected.

Not pay your TV License or your Council Tax.....

Pathetic isn't it?

[quote][p][bold]Howard Cháse[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Happy Chickie[/bold] wrote:
What does one actually need to do before they are jailed?
The courts in this country are a joke. Judges should be elected.[/p][/quote]Not pay your TV License or your Council Tax.....[/p][/quote]Pathetic isn't it?Happy Chickie

Howard Cháse wrote…

Happy Chickie wrote…

What does one actually need to do before they are jailed?

The courts in this country are a joke. Judges should be elected.

Not pay your TV License or your Council Tax.....

Pathetic isn't it?

Score: 8

CHRISTMAS CAROL
6:51am Wed 25 Jun 14

Druggies dont care about the consequences, they only think of one moment in time. Feel very sorry for her children. No mention of a FATHER. Poor kids

Druggies dont care about the consequences, they only think of one moment in time. Feel very sorry for her children. No mention of a FATHER. Poor kidsCHRISTMAS CAROL

Druggies dont care about the consequences, they only think of one moment in time. Feel very sorry for her children. No mention of a FATHER. Poor kids

Score: 34

supermadmax
7:07am Wed 25 Jun 14

If she was a he, that sentence would not have been suspended.

If she was a he, that sentence would not have been suspended.supermadmax

If she was a he, that sentence would not have been suspended.

Score: 44

Happy Chickie
7:16am Wed 25 Jun 14

What does one actually need to do before they are jailed?

The courts in this country are a joke. Judges should be elected.

What does one actually need to do before they are jailed?
The courts in this country are a joke. Judges should be elected.Happy Chickie

What does one actually need to do before they are jailed?

The courts in this country are a joke. Judges should be elected.

Score: 36

alarminstaller
7:33am Wed 25 Jun 14

I really do not care what happens to her she is a victim of her own creation and only she has control of her own destination whatever that May be.

The losers in all of this are the kids which she does not deserve to have AT THIS MOMENT IN TIME in her life without proper regular supervision.

If she lives in a Council owned property consideration should be given to giving that property to someone else who will not treat it with contempt with the risk of a fire by misuse of the electrical supply.

The only problem with real punishment the kids suffer the most which is a real and terrible shame.

If she reads this "wake up you selfish cow think of your kids"

I really do not care what happens to her she is a victim of her own creation and only she has control of her own destination whatever that May be.
The losers in all of this are the kids which she does not deserve to have AT THIS MOMENT IN TIME in her life without proper regular supervision.
If she lives in a Council owned property consideration should be given to giving that property to someone else who will not treat it with contempt with the risk of a fire by misuse of the electrical supply.
The only problem with real punishment the kids suffer the most which is a real and terrible shame.
If she reads this "wake up you selfish cow think of your kids"alarminstaller

I really do not care what happens to her she is a victim of her own creation and only she has control of her own destination whatever that May be.

The losers in all of this are the kids which she does not deserve to have AT THIS MOMENT IN TIME in her life without proper regular supervision.

If she lives in a Council owned property consideration should be given to giving that property to someone else who will not treat it with contempt with the risk of a fire by misuse of the electrical supply.

The only problem with real punishment the kids suffer the most which is a real and terrible shame.

If she reads this "wake up you selfish cow think of your kids"

Score: 43

pembury53
8:10am Wed 25 Jun 14

Happy Chickie wrote…

What does one actually need to do before they are jailed? The courts in this country are a joke. Judges should be elected.

what, jailed for growing plants.... what a truly ridiculous concept

[quote][p][bold]Happy Chickie[/bold] wrote:
What does one actually need to do before they are jailed? The courts in this country are a joke. Judges should be elected.[/p][/quote]what, jailed for growing plants.... what a truly ridiculous conceptpembury53

Happy Chickie wrote…

What does one actually need to do before they are jailed? The courts in this country are a joke. Judges should be elected.

what, jailed for growing plants.... what a truly ridiculous concept

Score: -6

poortaxpayer
8:20am Wed 25 Jun 14

Very very very lucky she wasn't caught dealing.

And if 103 plants are for personal use then you have one hell of a habit!

Very very very lucky she wasn't caught dealing.
And if 103 plants are for personal use then you have one hell of a habit!poortaxpayer

Very very very lucky she wasn't caught dealing.

And if 103 plants are for personal use then you have one hell of a habit!

Score: 43

Howard Cháse
8:25am Wed 25 Jun 14

Happy Chickie wrote…

What does one actually need to do before they are jailed?

The courts in this country are a joke. Judges should be elected.

Not pay your TV License or your Council Tax.....

[quote][p][bold]Happy Chickie[/bold] wrote:
What does one actually need to do before they are jailed?
The courts in this country are a joke. Judges should be elected.[/p][/quote]Not pay your TV License or your Council Tax.....Howard Cháse

Happy Chickie wrote…

What does one actually need to do before they are jailed?

The courts in this country are a joke. Judges should be elected.

Not pay your TV License or your Council Tax.....

Score: 28

costa-del-blowfly
2:19pm Wed 25 Jun 14

LinfordsLunchbox wrote…

Good decision, its outrageous that somebody should be punished for growing such a harmless plant. It should never be illegal in the first place. America has woken up, we should too. You get more harmful substances in a supermarket

What was being cultivated is a footnote and a distraction from the underlining issue. She decided to turn her family home into a grow house.

I would suggest that the house space and the effort invested would had been better directed at the upbringing of her children.

I would seriously question her decision making - and therefore fitness - as a mother.

[quote][p][bold]LinfordsLunchbox[/bold] wrote:
Good decision, its outrageous that somebody should be punished for growing such a harmless plant. It should never be illegal in the first place. America has woken up, we should too. You get more harmful substances in a supermarket[/p][/quote]What was being cultivated is a footnote and a distraction from the underlining issue. She decided to turn her family home into a grow house.
I would suggest that the house space and the effort invested would had been better directed at the upbringing of her children.
I would seriously question her decision making - and therefore fitness - as a mother.costa-del-blowfly

LinfordsLunchbox wrote…

Good decision, its outrageous that somebody should be punished for growing such a harmless plant. It should never be illegal in the first place. America has woken up, we should too. You get more harmful substances in a supermarket

What was being cultivated is a footnote and a distraction from the underlining issue. She decided to turn her family home into a grow house.

I would suggest that the house space and the effort invested would had been better directed at the upbringing of her children.

I would seriously question her decision making - and therefore fitness - as a mother.

Score: 18

Realworld
12:53pm Wed 25 Jun 14

Happy Chickie wrote…

What does one actually need to do before they are jailed?

The courts in this country are a joke. Judges should be elected.

Might as well give this a go myself - good little money earner and after all when yoy get a zero deterrent sentence like this then why not?. Looking forward to my Caribbean holiday already......

[quote][p][bold]Happy Chickie[/bold] wrote:
What does one actually need to do before they are jailed?
The courts in this country are a joke. Judges should be elected.[/p][/quote]Might as well give this a go myself - good little money earner and after all when yoy get a zero deterrent sentence like this then why not?. Looking forward to my Caribbean holiday already......Realworld

Happy Chickie wrote…

What does one actually need to do before they are jailed?

The courts in this country are a joke. Judges should be elected.

Might as well give this a go myself - good little money earner and after all when yoy get a zero deterrent sentence like this then why not?. Looking forward to my Caribbean holiday already......

Score: 9

Happy Chickie
1:03pm Wed 25 Jun 14

Realworld wrote…

Happy Chickie wrote…

What does one actually need to do before they are jailed?

The courts in this country are a joke. Judges should be elected.

Might as well give this a go myself - good little money earner and after all when yoy get a zero deterrent sentence like this then why not?. Looking forward to my Caribbean holiday already......

I'll help you look after the plants :) LOL

[quote][p][bold]Realworld[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Happy Chickie[/bold] wrote:
What does one actually need to do before they are jailed?
The courts in this country are a joke. Judges should be elected.[/p][/quote]Might as well give this a go myself - good little money earner and after all when yoy get a zero deterrent sentence like this then why not?. Looking forward to my Caribbean holiday already......[/p][/quote]I'll help you look after the plants :) LOLHappy Chickie

Realworld wrote…

Happy Chickie wrote…

What does one actually need to do before they are jailed?

The courts in this country are a joke. Judges should be elected.

Might as well give this a go myself - good little money earner and after all when yoy get a zero deterrent sentence like this then why not?. Looking forward to my Caribbean holiday already......

I'll help you look after the plants :) LOL

Score: 0

LinfordsLunchbox
1:14pm Wed 25 Jun 14

Good decision, its outrageous that somebody should be punished for growing such a harmless plant. It should never be illegal in the first place. America has woken up, we should too. You get more harmful substances in a supermarket

Good decision, its outrageous that somebody should be punished for growing such a harmless plant. It should never be illegal in the first place. America has woken up, we should too. You get more harmful substances in a supermarketLinfordsLunchbox

Good decision, its outrageous that somebody should be punished for growing such a harmless plant. It should never be illegal in the first place. America has woken up, we should too. You get more harmful substances in a supermarket

Score: 92

angryofessex
2:22pm Wed 25 Jun 14

Happy Chickie wrote…

Realworld wrote…

Happy Chickie wrote…

What does one actually need to do before they are jailed?

The courts in this country are a joke. Judges should be elected.

Might as well give this a go myself - good little money earner and after all when yoy get a zero deterrent sentence like this then why not?. Looking forward to my Caribbean holiday already......

I'll help you look after the plants :) LOL

And steal the electricity I suppose.

[quote][p][bold]Happy Chickie[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Realworld[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Happy Chickie[/bold] wrote:
What does one actually need to do before they are jailed?
The courts in this country are a joke. Judges should be elected.[/p][/quote]Might as well give this a go myself - good little money earner and after all when yoy get a zero deterrent sentence like this then why not?. Looking forward to my Caribbean holiday already......[/p][/quote]I'll help you look after the plants :) LOL[/p][/quote]And steal the electricity I suppose.angryofessex

Happy Chickie wrote…

Realworld wrote…

Happy Chickie wrote…

What does one actually need to do before they are jailed?

The courts in this country are a joke. Judges should be elected.

Might as well give this a go myself - good little money earner and after all when yoy get a zero deterrent sentence like this then why not?. Looking forward to my Caribbean holiday already......

I'll help you look after the plants :) LOL

And steal the electricity I suppose.

Score: 12

John Bull 40
5:55pm Wed 25 Jun 14

poortaxpayer wrote…

Very very very lucky she wasn't caught dealing.

And if 103 plants are for personal use then you have one hell of a habit!

She managed to hide her other phone, the one she does the deals on.

[quote][p][bold]poortaxpayer[/bold] wrote:
Very very very lucky she wasn't caught dealing.
And if 103 plants are for personal use then you have one hell of a habit![/p][/quote]She managed to hide her other phone, the one she does the deals on.John Bull 40

poortaxpayer wrote…

Very very very lucky she wasn't caught dealing.

And if 103 plants are for personal use then you have one hell of a habit!

She managed to hide her other phone, the one she does the deals on.

Score: 8

John Bull 40
5:58pm Wed 25 Jun 14

John Bull 40 wrote…

poortaxpayer wrote…

Very very very lucky she wasn't caught dealing.

And if 103 plants are for personal use then you have one hell of a habit!

She managed to hide her other phone, the one she does the deals on.

Sorry I missed out the word allegedly.

[quote][p][bold]John Bull 40[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]poortaxpayer[/bold] wrote:
Very very very lucky she wasn't caught dealing.
And if 103 plants are for personal use then you have one hell of a habit![/p][/quote]She managed to hide her other phone, the one she does the deals on.[/p][/quote]Sorry I missed out the word allegedly.John Bull 40

John Bull 40 wrote…

poortaxpayer wrote…

Very very very lucky she wasn't caught dealing.

And if 103 plants are for personal use then you have one hell of a habit!

She managed to hide her other phone, the one she does the deals on.

Sorry I missed out the word allegedly.

Score: -2

wickford-warrior
10:40pm Wed 25 Jun 14

Qualified electrician, TWO mobiles, part time cleaner and farmer. Busy lady !

Qualified electrician, TWO mobiles, part time cleaner and farmer. Busy lady !wickford-warrior

Qualified electrician, TWO mobiles, part time cleaner and farmer. Busy lady !

Score: 6

Happy Chickie
6:49am Thu 26 Jun 14

angryofessex wrote…

Happy Chickie wrote…

Realworld wrote…

Happy Chickie wrote…

What does one actually need to do before they are jailed?

The courts in this country are a joke. Judges should be elected.

Might as well give this a go myself - good little money earner and after all when yoy get a zero deterrent sentence like this then why not?. Looking forward to my Caribbean holiday already......

I'll help you look after the plants :) LOL

And steal the electricity I suppose.

I don't need to steal.

[quote][p][bold]angryofessex[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Happy Chickie[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Realworld[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Happy Chickie[/bold] wrote:
What does one actually need to do before they are jailed?
The courts in this country are a joke. Judges should be elected.[/p][/quote]Might as well give this a go myself - good little money earner and after all when yoy get a zero deterrent sentence like this then why not?. Looking forward to my Caribbean holiday already......[/p][/quote]I'll help you look after the plants :) LOL[/p][/quote]And steal the electricity I suppose.[/p][/quote]I don't need to steal.Happy Chickie

angryofessex wrote…

Happy Chickie wrote…

Realworld wrote…

Happy Chickie wrote…

What does one actually need to do before they are jailed?

The courts in this country are a joke. Judges should be elected.

Might as well give this a go myself - good little money earner and after all when yoy get a zero deterrent sentence like this then why not?. Looking forward to my Caribbean holiday already......

I'll help you look after the plants :) LOL

And steal the electricity I suppose.

I don't need to steal.

Score: -1

Fab man
7:31pm Mon 30 Jun 14

Happy Chickie wrote…

Howard Cháse wrote…

Happy Chickie wrote…

What does one actually need to do before they are jailed?

The courts in this country are a joke. Judges should be elected.

Not pay your TV License or your Council Tax.....

Pathetic isn't it?

Just goes to show if you steal from the state they throw the book at you but anything else gets you a lenient sentence. Shows where the priorities lie in our joke law system.

[quote][p][bold]Happy Chickie[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Howard Cháse[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Happy Chickie[/bold] wrote:
What does one actually need to do before they are jailed?
The courts in this country are a joke. Judges should be elected.[/p][/quote]Not pay your TV License or your Council Tax.....[/p][/quote]Pathetic isn't it?[/p][/quote]Just goes to show if you steal from the state they throw the book at you but anything else gets you a lenient sentence. Shows where the priorities lie in our joke law system.Fab man

Happy Chickie wrote…

Howard Cháse wrote…

Happy Chickie wrote…

What does one actually need to do before they are jailed?

The courts in this country are a joke. Judges should be elected.

Not pay your TV License or your Council Tax.....

Pathetic isn't it?

Just goes to show if you steal from the state they throw the book at you but anything else gets you a lenient sentence. Shows where the priorities lie in our joke law system.

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